While other MediaPost newsletters and articles remain free to all ... our new Research Intelligencer service is reserved for paid subscribers ...

Subscribe today to gain access to the every Research Intelligencer article we publish as well as the exclusive daily newsletter, full access to The MediaPost Cases, first-look research and daily insights from Joe Mandese, Editor in Chief.

Commentary

Black Lives Matter Hires J. Walter Thompson

Perhaps you've heard of Black Lives Matter. Well, of course you have. The non-profit advocacy group has had its fair share of publicity in the past year or two but it looks like the organization is
seeking some control over that publicity and the narrative behind that publicity. Black Lives Matter has
hired J. Walter Thompson as its first agency or record.

Already the two have worked together to create the site Backing Black
Business which aims to highlight black-owned small businesses. And that's just the beginning. JWT will help Black Lives Matter move beyond its social media hype and focus on its long term goals of
supporting African American causes.

Of working with JWT, Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Patrisse Cullors said, "We’re thrilled to partner with J. Walter Thompson and in particular
this effort to uplift and sustain black businesses. Right now, we need to invest in black businesses more than ever."

JWT will handle the account on a pro-bono basis. Hopefully, it's the noble
cause it seems to be and not an underhanded attempt at distracting us from that whole Erin Johnson/Gustavo Martinez debacle.